Educate 900 Kenyan Children

End of term three came too early for pupils in both public and private schools despite the fact that children sits for end of year exams that determine if they are moving to the next class.  It is also believed that the ministry of education changed schools calendar to enable all students sitting for the end of primary and secondary examinations have peace and quietness and desist from exam malpractices. The major concern for parents and other stakeholders was the length of the holiday period and what would happe

Vision Africa shared the same concern as parents since it was bound to affect pupils in the early years of learning especially children living in informal settlement like Kibera. According to the recent survey carried out to early childhood education centres supported by Vision Africa, the teachers were asked to explain the significant benefits of the feeding program to pupils. The results indicated that the health of the children have improved by 76% hence enable the children to concentrate in class that boosted their class performance. The teachers also affirmed that 75% of the children attend the early childhood education because of feeding programme since their parents can only afford one meal per day. With this in mind, the management of Kibera Mpira Mtaani (KiMMTa) decided to extend the learning for two more weeks so that the children could continue to enjoy their meals while in school as they prepare for graduation of the pre-unit class.The graduation day at KiMMTa was filled with excitements as graduates entertained their parents and guests who came to witness their transition from pre-school to primary school. This year, 25 children graduated from KiMMTa ecd and are expected to join standard one in the coming year. According to the head teacher, all the pupils performed well in their end term exams as well as the standard one interviews. She informed us that16 of the pupils will be joining public primary schools while 9 will join private schools within the Kibera slums.

 In addition, KiMMTa after school program came up with holiday activities for all pupils in their programme who were at home. With support from Vision Africa and other stake holders, the after school management team prepared a two week programme that will bring positive change in the lives of  the children and young people who are at greater risk of engaging in vices due to idleness this long holiday period.  These activities included mentorship workshops, community services and football tournaments.The KiMMTa management also partnered with other community based organizations within the slums who are engaged in educational program by involving their members in all these activities. Vincent the KiMMTa chairman said that the holiday programme was a success as 240 children and young people participated directly in the tournaments while approximately 750 children and young people who attended were involved in community work like cleaning the market, dispensaries and the collecting garbage. They also got the opportunity to be mentored each day during mentorship sessions. I hope that there will be more of such programmes in the coming year so that many more children and young people can be empowered to make right decisions about their lives during school recess.

 Thank you for supporting the education of children in Kenya by contributing to this project. As it has been quoted severally, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world’. I believe these children from Kibera slums and other informal settlements will not only change the world but also their lives and living standards of their families.

Please consider telling your friends and family about our project - share the link on your blogs or social networks, or just bring us up in conversation. You know your friends and family best so use your own words - tell them why you chose our project and what it means to you.